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The Oregon Department of Energy office in Salem. (Oregon State Archives Photo)

Present Duties

﻿The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) was created in 1975 because the Legislature said it was essential that future generations not be left a legacy of vanished or depleted energy resources. ODOE’s role is to provide leadership on energy conservation, renewable energy, and protection of the Columbia River from leaking radioactive waste at the Hanford Nuclear Site. The department also engages in
energy planning and siting of energy facilities, provides an objective source of energy information, and investigates emerging energy technologies.

The department offers a variety of programs, educational materials, financial incentives and technical assistance that help businesses, homeowners, renters, schools, local and tribal governments, and nonprofits meet their energy goals and reduce
their energy costs. Visit ODOE online at www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/Pages/index.aspx, Facebook and Twitter for more information and to sign up for regular email updates.

ODOE employs about 115 people and is headquartered in Salem. Through the state’s Regional Solutions Teams, ODOE has one employee
co-located at the Central Regional Solutions Center in Bend and another with the Metro Regional Solutions Center in Portland. ODOE staffs the Energy Facility Siting Council, which is appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate. The department also gets advice from the Small-scale Energy Loan Program Advisory Group and the Hanford Cleanup Board.